America's eight new future space explorers made a public appearance for the first time Wednesday.
The astronaut candidates made it through a rigorous testing process. NASA officials selected 120 astronauts from 6,100 applications sent in a year and a half ago, the pool was narrowed down 48 candidates, and then to the final eight, a NASA press release reported.
"They not only have the right stuff...they represent the full tapestry of America," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "These next generation of explorers will be among those who plan and carry out the first human missions to an asteroid or on to Mars. Their journey begins now, and the nation will be right beside them reaching for the stars."
The lucky eight will begin training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
"For more than 50 years now...the Johnson Space Center has been the home of America's spaceflight, and it will be your new home," Bolden said, in a welcome speech to the new candidates.
The new astronauts-to-be are at the beginning of a two-year training program in which they will participate in "technical training activities" to prepare for revolutionary space missions.
"Folks often wonder what they've signed up for after we get them to Houston," Bob Behnken, NASA chief astronaut, said. "The training for this group in the near term will focus on the space station and understanding the operations on board. These candidates will all fill support roles for station crews that will be flying. They also will receive T-38 training and will get some aviation background under their belt. We will also visit the NASA centers around the country to understand all the things that go into what makes NASA what it is."
Some of the astronaut candidates spoke about why they had chosen to become astronauts.
"When I was in fourth grade, we lived in San Antonio. We had to write about famous Texans. I wrote to Apollo astronaut Alan Bean, and I actually received a letter back from him. I was convinced that was my acceptance as an astronaut candidate." Andrew R. Morgan, a major in the U.S. Army and astronaut candidate, said.
Other astronaut candidates include: "Josh A. Cassada and Victor J. Glover, both lieutenant commanders in the U.S. Navy; Tyler N. "Nick" Hague, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force; Christina M. Hammock; Nicole Aunapu Mann, a major in the U.S. Marine Corps; Anne C. McClain," a major in the U.S army; and Jessica U. Meir.
The astronauts addressed a group of young astronaut hopefuls.
"Set a goal and figure out the steps you need to get there," Hague said. "Keep working hard and don't take no for an answer."
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